NEED TO KNOW
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In a new interview with PEOPLE, Robbie Hoffman discusses her journey from growing up Hasidic in Montreal to Emmy-nominated success.
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She credits years of dedicated stand-up comedy and writing with helping her land career-defining roles and create a comedy special for Netflix.
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Hoffman shares his thoughts on his marriage to Gabby Winey and upcoming HBO projects, including the series «"Untitled".
Robbie Hoffman is an actress, screenwriter, and comedian, and when she joins a Zoom call for an interview with PEOPLE magazine, she's literally wearing a suit that says "Leading Character.".
These days, the brand suits her particularly well, although she insists the style choice wasn't intentional.
«I didn’t really care what the hat said—it was just small enough to fit me,» she says in her thick Brooklyn accent. «Then I read it and I was like, „Oh, Fine . “It doesn’t irritate me at all.».
This year has certainly been a banner one for 39-year-old Hoffman. After being nominated for an Emmy for her role as Randy on the series «Hacks» on HBO Max in 2025, she released a comedy special on Netflix called «Wake Up» , landed a role alongside Steve Carell in TV series "Rooster"« on HBO and went on a comedy tour of North America.
«"I don't want to jinx it, but I feel great right now," Hoffman admits, adding that she's grateful that this turning point in her career came after years of hard work as a television writer and stand-up comedian.
«That level of success, achieved suddenly, would seem unattainable,» she explains. «What happens to guys from Heated Rivalry, "It's as if there's no path to success. We've been building up enough speed to move on the highway for a long time now.".
Lauren Tsai and Robbie Hoffman in "Rooster" (Photo: Katrina Marcinowski/HBO)
Part of Hoffman's comedic talent stems from the fact that her jokes are based on the harsh realities of her life: her marriage to former Bachelorette contestant Gabby Windy and her upbringing as one of ten children in a Hasidic Jewish family often serve as inspiration.
«"Every night I look for stories in my life," she says. "How convenient!"»
Born in Brooklyn, Hoffman moved with her mother and siblings to an Orthodox community in Montreal as a child after her parents' divorce in the 1990s. She recalls crying "every day" as a child, living in cramped quarters with her five brothers and four sisters.
«"It was chaos," she says. "We were poor, it was really hard, and I was constantly fighting with my brothers. I would just lie on the floor and cry in despair. Then I moved out and lived alone, and everything calmed down. I just stopped crying.".
While studying accounting in college, she received free tickets to the Just for Laughs comedy festival in Montreal, and an idea struck her. "I thought, 'Oh, I could do that, too.' But I didn't know it could become my career.".
After graduating, Hoffman took a job at an accounting firm, but on her first day of graduate school to earn her CPA certificate, she dropped out to pursue comedy. While developing her stand-up comedy career, in 2015 she began working as a writer's assistant on a PBS children's show. «Odd Squad» .
Robbie Hoffman performs in February. Photo: Michael S. Schwartz/Getty
Four years later, she won a Daytime Emmy Award for writing a live-action series and released her first stand-up special. She also caught the attention of comedian John Mulaney, director film "Wake Up"« .
«"He's like a knight in shining armor," Hoffman says. "He played a key role in saying, 'I want everyone to know about her.' It's like Batman and Robin—and my name is Robbie.".
As Hoffman recently revealed, Mulaney has also proven his chivalry.
«"After the show, we went out to dinner, and I was freezing," she says. "The air conditioning was on full blast. And then Mulaney walks away from the table. I don't know why. Five minutes later, he comes back with a jacket for me. That doesn't happen often in our relationship, as with a guy.".
Hoffman is now one of the internet's most beloved couples. He met 35-year-old Weedy outside a bar in Los Angeles in 2023, before Weedy publicly came out.
«"I thought she was amazing," Hoffman recalls. "I got discovered through my stand-up, which was amazing because it helped me meet her.".
Just 13 days into their relationship, Hoffman confessed her love to Weena. "I was very honest about my intentions and feelings. I'm pretty decisive.".
Robbie Hoffman and his wife, Gabby Windy, in February. Photo: Amy Sussman/Getty.
To support his claims, Hoffman compares this relationship to his 12-year commitment to the same pair of glasses.
«"They were on a teddy bear in the eye doctor's window, and I thought, 'They look small enough for me,'" she says, before returning to her conversation with Windy. "I always tell Gabby, 'I need at least 50 years with you. Give me 50 years, and then you decide.'".
As for her future plans, she's trying not to limit herself. Besides touring and the second season of the series «Rooster» , she's developing a comedy series for HBO «Unentitled» , in which he will co-write the script and play the leading role.
«"I don't limit my dreams—I don't limit anything," she says. "Every day I get to do what I love is a miracle.".
Find more from Robbie Hoffman in the new issue of PEOPLE, which goes on sale Friday.
Read the original article on People.